Electric switch.



p. HILL. ELECTRIC SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED MAY 15, 1912.

Patented Nov. 10, 1914.

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WIT NESSES THE NORRIS PETERS C0., PH'TO-Llfh I., WASHINGTON. D. C. 5

UNITED OFFICE CHESTER HILL', or GENEVA, omo.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Specification of Lettersl Patent. Nov, 10, 1914, Applicatiqnmeanay15,1912. seriainaeemm.

. which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to thev accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to signals and has special reference to an electric -switch to be used in connection with a signal system.

Another object of this invention is the production of a switch which is simple in construction, eicient 1n operatlonandcon* sists of the mmimum number of parts.

lVith the above and other objects in view,

this invention consists in general of certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and speciically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and Figure 1 is a side elevation of one of the circuit closing devices. Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a plan View thereof. Fig. 4 is a detail view of a portion of the circuit closer. Fig. 5 is a detail section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a detail section on the line 10-10 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a view showing a modified form adapted for use in connection with a steam railway.

In the form of operating device herein illustrated there is provided a set of vertical supports 30 insulated from the trolley wire 21 and from a second wire 31 which may be a feed wire or thelike. These supports are connected at their upper ends by means of the plate 32 whereon is mounted the casing 33 of a three-pole switch.

In the switch herein disclosed there is provided a shaft 34 whereon is mounted a ratchet 35. Within the casing is an insulating plate 36 wherethrough this stem passes and on this plate is a contact ring 37 which forms one pole of the switch. Within the casing is also a second contact ring 38 which forms the second pole of the switch. A third pole 39 is likewise provided within the casing, and carried on the shaft 34 but insulated therefrom is a boss 40 wherefrom extends an arm 41 carrying a contact point 42. This arm 41 rotates againstthe contact ring 38, so that` by the rotation of the ratchet 35 thearm may be Ibrought t0 such position thatthepoilits 42 ,will Contact with the pole 39. On the shaft 3411s likewise a second bossy43carrying al similarv contact provided arm 44` which rotates against the ring 37. These 4arms extend -inopposite directions from the axis of the ratchet so .that their .Contact 'points are alternately'brought into engagement with the pole 39. -i v In order to actuate the ratchet upon the passing of a trolley. there is shownv in Fig. 1l alhinge 45 secured tobut insulated from the plate 32. Hinged to thishinge 45 is a 'plate 46fof` sheet metalwhich is curved-longitudinally and has its central portion rest- "ing on the trolley wire 21. The free end of this plate is upwardly 'curved and extends beneath the casing 33 and resting on this free end is the lower portion of an operating plunger 47 carrying an insulating extension 48. This plunger extends upward into the casing and has an upper end 49 to which is pivoted a rack arm 50 held by spring 51 in engagement with the ratchet 35. Now, upon the passage of a car the trolleycontacts with the underside of the plate 46 and raises this plate to such an extent that the ratchet is caused to revolve through an arc of 180, thereby changing the arm in contact with the pole 39. By this means, as each car passes through the protected portion of the track the poles of the switches are reversed, irst one switch and then the other being actuated.

In the modified form, shown in Fig. 7, the plate 46 is inverted and a suitable contact roller 52 is supported beneath the car and arranged to strike the plate. In order to hold the plate raised a spring 53 is pro-` vided beneath the same and in order to holdv v the plunger 47 raised a guide 54 is provided for the plunger and between the head of the plate hingedly secured to the lower side 'ofsaid lirstmentioned pla-te, said operating plate adapt-'ed to normally `rest pon lsaid means, 'and means attached to said operating plate adjacent lthe free end thereof for closing a circuit, said operating plate adapt ed to be engaged and swung upon #sai-d firstmentioned plate whereby said circuit closing means will be operated.

Q. In J,a switch of lthe'cllass described, fthe combination with -an insulated supporting plalte, a bowed operati-ng plate hi'ngedly `secured to 'said supporting plate, a suppoiting casing carried upon the upper po'ition 'of a plurality of arms xedly secured upon said shaft, said arms pro-vided with conta-ct points, a ratchet wheel fiXedly secured upon lthe outer end of said shaft, an operating plunger `seeured to said operating plate adjacent the free end thereof, said plunger provided with a "rack portion adapted toengage said ratchet wheel, means for supplying' elect-ric currentft-o {sa'id `"shaft, whereby when said ope'raiting :plate is swung said plunger will -rotate Lsaid ratchet wheel whereby i'said points will engage each other for closing the circuit ln 1testimony whereof `I hereunto yaiii'x my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHESTER HILL.

lV-itnesses:

RALPH T. TRUNKEY, V. CRUMMINQ @aimer ne: parent myfb'nbfame'a fortis dem eac-h, sigaar-ming au; ccmmsmer or man., `mammina, n. c.n 

